Monday, April 26, 2010

I've been bad about blogging but I have been doing Bootsie. Giggles McGhee confessed the other night she doesn't like the name Bootsie...she prefers Boot Camp. I really don't care either way.

I do like this Bootsie group. I do miss those from last class that aren't with us but my girl Donna is with me and that is all that matters. Three Stooges are in full effect as usual. Rusty is meaner than ever. He was more like Bob with his first class and now he is just straight up Jillian the majority of the time which is what I need.

We did a class that I really liked the other night, strength circuit. Lots of free weight work and push ups. I think push ups have made a difference in my arms so I will do them without bitching.

Life is great outside of Bootsie. There is a boy in the picture and he is very supportive of me being healthy. The other night he said "what are your goals for this boot camp?" I hadn't even thought about goals. I just focus on living through the next class. I guess it is time to get with my Jillian and discuss what I should be focusing on as a goal.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Bootsie began last night and as you can see by the previous post I was dreading it but it was fine. It was a little different because some of the peeps from the past class weren't there but we had new ones that I am sure I will bond with while inducing pain on my body.

So I was dreading it and I walked in and all of the sudden got so excited to see Molly and Rusty. Remember the first day back to school when you were little you were uncertain about things but the minute you saw a friend or found your classroom you were fine...that was me last night. RedHead almost needed CPR because during introductions I said "Hi, I'm Robin and this is my second boot camp and I love it." It just popped out of my mouth and Red almost fell off his stability ball. It is a love/hate thing but clearly I do believe it is the best thing for me.

So the veterans (why do I feel like I am part of the MTV Road Rules Challenge) decided to keep our fitness and measurements and we went on a 2.5 mile walk. It was such nice weather and BCMama kept us entertained the whole time. Later at my house we threw out the question of whether we could hire her as a private walker/runner because she makes the time fly by but here is the best thing.....I felt amazing after wards. I had missed it because in Cancun all I did was walk to the pool or beach....I did swim up to the bar for refreshers.

I was really dreading Bootsie because I knew I would have to weigh and while I was pretty good in Cancun with food I was a nightmare with drinking. All inclusive and making friends with everybody was a train wreck for me but get this...so we get back from our walk and we have to get body fat and weigh....vomit. I get on the scale and I lost 2.3 while I was in Cancun so I scream to RedHead "oh my god I lost 2.3 while in Cancun. I will drink everyday." Rusty, who was writing all my numbers down and was leaning down sounded like Satan "you will do no such thing." Poor Rusty has his hands full with the 3 Amigos!

Robin

3:13pmRobin

i'm pretty sure i'll never be skinny but i am also confident that i can drink everything:-)

3:15pmRobin

i love that quote

Thank God I return back to Rusty tonight at 6pm. Life will suck and he will punish me I am sure because he hasn't tortured me in 10 days but oh well. Seriously if I didn't have a trainer and hadn't paid for Bootsie I would be on a patio or pool right now with a cooler full of beer. I know me...I do a program and I do great and then I go back to old ways. I wonder if I will always have to have a trainer???????

Friday, March 26, 2010

I hope you don't mind I am sharing this but I just want everything documented about boot camp so when we're asked to go on Oprah to talk about my transformation it is all here!

Hey,

Just wanted to say I am inspired by how far you've come. I'm sending this email because I don't want you to think what you have accomplished is anything short of remarkable. The first day we did testing you couldn't even do a prone plank on your knees for over 10 seconds. Now you're doing them on your feet for close to a minute. You doubled your pushups, and I think you quit early! You averaged almost 1 squat per second for an entire minute!!

As far as the weight goes...it is just a number. Everyone gets caught up with pounds lost because of shows like Biggest Loser. But lets think about what you did. When you factor in your muscle weight gained you lost over 1 pound a week consistently for the entire challenge. One to two pounds a week is the way you make it work, it becomes your LIFESTYLE not a fad diet.

And then think about all the other positive things that have come out of the last 12 weeks. You're blood pressure is lower than it has been in years, you have more strength than ever before, you have lost over 11 inches (I especially see the difference in your face/neck, wish we measured that), and your frickin about to run a 10k!!!!

I always have a moment on Christmas morning where I am so sad that the hoopla is over. June Cleaver said I've done this ever since I was a little girl. You've shopped for the perfect gift, you've decorated, cooked and you get so excited for the day and then it is over within a second it seems like and I am feeling that way about boot camp tonight.

January 6th I started this boot camp a freaking hot mess. I had partied like a rock star up until the very last second and walked into that gym not having a clue what I was going to do for the next 12 weeks. I was nervous but excited. Instantly, I was excited to start because I met two returnees and heard what they had done so I couldn't wait for it to be over so I could have my "own" story from boot camp.

Driving to the gym tonight I was once again a hot mess but I was jamming out to old school and was so pumped up. I was wondering what the scales would say but told myself I wasn't going to get upset because I have made a tremendous difference in my lifestyle and I feel awesome and to me that is the most important thing. My doctor is happy, my blood pressure is normal for the first time in years, my friends and family see a difference and I have already paid for the second boot camp which has been named "Bootsie" by Alligator Molester in Charlotte, who got me started searching for a boot camp. Chaney, I always be grateful to you for making me want this...I thank you and I am so glad we're friends.

We had the option to weigh in/fitness test tonight or Monday night. I was the first one there and so we began right away. I think Rusty was a little nervous as well because he knew I wanted some serious results. We did measurements first and I have lost 11.5 inches. One inch is from my upper arm. He said that is huge achievement. My biggest area was my hips. 3.5 off of those bad boys. We then did the weight and of course every girl wants huge numbers but I was proud and then the boomer came....Fitness test. This is when Ralph decided to show up and I was like great I get to do fitness with the Rock Star of our group. I rocked it hard core. We got tested when we first came and then tonight. Squats: Jan-39 March-57, Push ups: Jan-12 March 24 (There is no way I did 12 in Jan) Prone Plank Jan-10 sec March 32 sec (Jan was more like 2 sec), Right Side Plank Jan-35 sec March 1:13, Left side plank Jan-60 sec March 1:39.

The Christmas morning feeling kicked in the minute I walked out the door of the gym. I am so glad the other two stooges weren't with me because I probably would've cried and then RedHead would've called me ridiculous and pissed me off and ruined it. I am just pretty proud of what we've done and decided to be healthy. The minute I got in my car I analyzed my numbers and started setting goals for what I want to accomplish in Bootsie. Of course I can set huge unachievable goals so I will do this with Rusty on Monday at the next personal training session. I am ready for April 7th to get here. It took me a while to get settled in Boot Camp and then Tina was added into the mix with the nutrition and I was a mess there for a bit but with the personal training I feel like I am right in the groove and I will go play in Cancun and then come back ready for Bootsie!

Tomorrow is the 10k and it is the last thing...I knocked out rock climbing, I knocked out fitness testing tonight so I have no other choice but to rock out on the 10k!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Emotionary is a word that one of my friends made up and we use it from time to time when we're moved by something or if we're getting emotional over something that you feel cheesy about...I am sure Webster's wouldn't take that definition but who cares I am in charge.

I am in the final week of boot camp and I am starting to get emotionary. Last night we had field day that was anything but the field day I thought it was going to be. I didn't expect to have Popsicles and the trash they gave us in elementary school but I didn't expect to be on the Amazing Race park version either but I survived and looking back probably enjoyed it. We had 6 stations and had to run to each of them and do what the envelope said and then on to the next station. We had to find combat men at one of our stations and bring them home. So here I am in the park with a hand full of combat men trying to get to the next station and this gorgeous guy runs past me and just looked at me like WTF. I am pretty sure it looked like I had escaped from the pysch ward!

This morning I had another personal training session and I was so dreading it but once we got started I was fine. I truly regret not doing this earlier in boot camp. He focuses on my form and he knows I hate certain things so he comes up with new exercises and tricks me into doing what I hate but I don't figure out he has tricked me until it is almost over. Try skipping one stair while going up a set of stairs, go back down and then try walking up skipping two stairs. BossLady told me last fall that I would love having a personal trainer. I had one before but not like this that I really enjoyed working out with....remember "AFB" friends? I already scheduled another session for Monday. I did it before the back and knee pain kicked into gear. I texted him back "thanks for everything you've done" and he texted back "thank yourself for what you've done and how far you've come. so proud of you."

Dawn and I were talking about our group this morning and how it is almost over and it did make me emotionary. Our class is amazing and just has really neat personalities. There is no way I could do Biggest Loser even though I think Rusty is a cross between Bob and Jillian but if I had to vote somebody off I would be in hysterics. I probably would've gotten voted off last night for my temper tantrum when I realized it was Amazing Race and not the crab walk relay races.

I could care less what the scales say on Friday night. I am excited to see what the inches are and how long I do hold the plank but regardless I am pretty proud of us. We've not been perfect at all but we're not on the verge of AA, my blood pressure is normal and our eating habits have changed but more importantly we're physically active and like Dawn and I were talking about this morning we feel the best we've felt in years.

Last week I had the annual dreaded Dr. visit and she was asking why my weight was down (she couldn't say how much because remember I am not finding out until Friday) and she wanted to know what was up and I told her. She was already familiar with Endorphin Fitness but not the boot camp aspect and she was blown away. She is a huge runner and I told her I hated it with a passion but I am trying it out and she looked at me dead in the eye and said "Robin, you've got a lifetime to learn to love it and at one point you will fall in love with but you've won. You've won the battle in your mind and body to get healthy and do this and it is a battle people lose every day and because of that you now have a lifetime to learn to love it." She was so happy and proud of me that day that I didn't have the heart to tell her I am pretty sure love and running will never come out of my mouth in the same sentence but I've learned in my life never say never and once I get this down I will be up for the next challenge.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Thursday was the first day of our 2 day staff meeting and I love staff meetings. I work in a satellite office by myself so getting a chance to be with my other colleagues is always something I look forward to...I know I am the only person in the world who loves a staff meeting.

Flash back to the January blog about my staff meeting where I was so great and didn't eat anything bad and promised my trainer that I wouldn't do happy hour. Well none of that happened this staff meeting. I was a disaster and it was disgusting. I ate a dessert at lunch, reeses pieces, jelly bellies and swedish fish for snack time. I attempted to do happy hour but my body started shutting down 2 beers into it. It was the most bizarre thing ever. I started sweating, I had to sit down and I couldn't focus on what anybody was saying and all I thought was I am going to die and I don't want to do it in public. I asked my colleagues if they would mind if I left and they could tell I didn't feel good and kept saying "it is great your body is rejecting this stuff." Ummmm, it sure didn't feel great at all.

I got home and made it to bed and prepared to die. I literally felt that bad. I threw up and then prayed to God my old prayer but substituted "never eat sugar" with "never drink again" if he allowed me to live. I finally passed out in a sugar coma. The next morning I woke up and still felt like crap. I could barely function in staff meeting. I had to exercise to get this crap out of my system so Rusty, who had no clue what I had done, said I could do my three miles early. I then had to go represent a teacher at a late meeting and was so worried I would pass out in the meeting. One former colleague fell asleep in a meeting with administration and notice I said former.

I felt my biggest accomplishment of my life was living through the day and making it home. I went over to my neighbors and almost threw up when I saw them drinking beer and they're nurses so I told them what I had done. They were so shocked to see me so calm on a Friday night. I was still outta sorts on Saturday but it is Sunday am and I am back to normal......well as normal as I can be and I will never ever misbehave like that with food again! I am pretty shocked at how the food affected my body but more so I am wondering if I felt like that before but just felt it more often. I have really taken in account how my body does feel. I am not a fan of drinking anymore simply because I hate the way it makes me feel and now I can add sugar to the list.

The ironic thing is early on Thursday am my colleague sat beside me and she had a cookie for breakfast. I know she is trying to be good as well and I said "let me go get you something healthy, that cookie will destroy you." I got us a hard boiled egg and fruit. 2.5 hours later I get buck crazy.........WHY? I can think about that for a bit I just know I will never do it again!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

I've been quiet because work life is anything but quiet. There isn't really anything earth shattering either to report. I am still soda and coffee free. Monday will be 6 weeks completely free of soda! I do feel like I am in a coma at times and forget the craziest of things. Today I got dressed and ready for a bridal shower and went to punch in the address to the GPS and realized it was at 2pm not 3pm. It was 2:30 at that moment in life. I am not sure to blame that on my withdrawl as Tina and Kieth call it or idiocy?

St. Patrick's Day is coming on Wednesday and I am all about pretending to be Irish and I will be at boot camp doing cardio circuit. I know it is hell impending but I am actually excited to see how far I've come since we started this boot camp.

I could tell significant difference in my body during this past Wednesday night's cardio kickboxing. I thought we would be in the gym boxing and so forth and when Rusty told us to go outside and run I was like WTF. He said "Have you ever seen Rocky? He runs and trains Robin." I didn't say but all I could think is well he also gets in a ring and fights till he is a bloody hot mess and I don't want to do this. I did it and was excited I lived through the class.

Fun note. Last night we had Stretch X and Rusty was in so much pain that it was visible. I know I've wished Rusty pain in previous posts but Rusty is training for his first triathlon. I am not sure why in my sick and twisted mind that this makes me want to push myself but it just proves to me that even he is always pushing himself to better himself. Just because you're fit you can't stop...always go for more. I am starting to ramble so peace out!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

My boyfriend Dave said this today on Twitter: Holy crap I had no clue what I was doing to my body! Do you take 12 sugars in your coffee? With the Starbucks mocha frap you do--& 28 with a McD's shake! http://bit.ly/56OpPq

Biggest Loser is on my nerves......they were irritated they had to go work regular hours.....hello people that is what normal people do! All I know is I don't think I could ever vote any of the boot campers out of class.....seeing them each week is what gets me there half the time!

Friday, March 5, 2010

I did what Keith told me to do and I've researched Excitotoxins and they're so damaging to your body. This is exactly what I am going through right now and it talks about the damage to your body and the long term affects. They've been linked with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's....one of my biggest fears in life.

So tonight at boot camp we had Tina, the nutritionist, come back for follow up and her partner Keith came as well. My mind is still spinning from what I learned and I think I have decided that I need to set up an appointment with her to go over what is happening in my body. Tonight was one of those nights where you think "Thank God for boot camp". I've learned so much and getting it on track takes time.

We talked a lot about the food that we put in our body. Keith said that food either makes energy or blood. That was news to me. I might have learned that in Health but I was shocked tonight. He simplified it by saying look at your plate of food and does it have life? This made sense but it also reaffirmed that I clearly need one on one time with them.

They talked a lot about inflammation and hyper thyroid. I have no clue where I go on that spectrum so I need them for that as well. You can be eating the healthiest food but if your body is outta wack you won't lose weight. You need to eat to balance out and this is why I think I need them in my life!

So they kept saying when people would ask about cutting things out "give it 21 days" and I finally said "it doesn't get better after 21 days" and I told them that I am 34 days with no sodas and I've fully given up the coffee and I basically feel like I am in a coma half the time and I wake up and I realize where I am. Donna said she was going through the same thing. Keith looked shocked and said that basically I am detoxing from neuroexictants and it is like fighting a drug addiction. Tina said she did this as well and finally after 30 days she started to feel better. She said it will take 3 months for my body and mind to realize I can live without it but Keith scared the crap out of me because he said "that I don't want to give into my cravings because it can make me incredibly sick and cause harm to my body". Another reason I think I have to go visit them ASAP.

If this wasn't a buzzkill enough...Keith calls ice cream a bowl of snot because of what it does for your body! Ughghghghghgh!

I am going organic in my meat and my latest crush http://twitter.com/DaveZinczenko confirms I am doing the right thing. "TERRIFYING The avg piece of chicken has 266% more fat than it did in 1971, while its protein content dropped 1/3rd."

Yesterday he confirmed that my trainer, Rusty, knows what he is talking about. "For great abs--and to protect your back--do 60-second planks instead of sit-ups."

If you aren't following this guy you're really missing out on some great info!

I am really excited to see my nutritionist today. I can let her know I am 33 days free of soda. I did want a Coke Zero so bad I could taste it and I think I am 10 days without WaWa coffee. I can't wait to tell her about my blood pressure as well!

Monday, March 1, 2010

I just signed up for two private sessions with Rusty, who is my trainer at boot camp. Last night I was thinking how I was about to start the last month of the 3 month program and how I need to push myself really hard and honestly I think I need my trainer to do that for the results I want to see on the 26th. I've been working out on my own but I never have the "after feeling" that I get from boot camp when I workout by myself so I emailed him and said I want the one on one training. BossLady had a personal trainer and highly recommended it and I just talked to my WorkHusband and he said it is the hardest workout you will ever do so I am a little scared but I keep thinking I want this and it is only an hour.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

They say if you do something for 21 days it becomes a habit. I wish they would add a sentence to it that it becomes easier to fight those old habits. Diet Coke and Coke Zero are so missed in my life. WaWa Coffee is so missed but more importantly what I miss is being alert. I feel great and the great blood pressure is telling me I am doing the right thing but god I miss those small little bubbles that fizzle when you pour it over ice. Tomorrow is 28 days!

So I am on the last day of February and if you remember I am trying to get through it without drinking alcohol. I drank 2 times. Once on a date and the other after a disastrous day of dealing with a school budget that is my favorite local. On the date he ordered the bottle of wine before I could say "oh I am a wild child and trying to see if I can make it through a month without drinking" needless to say I only had 2 glasses but god it was great. The other night was wine as well and only 3 glasses but after the day of dealing with budgets and for those of you know how I am challenged with Math you know it easily could've been three bottles. I didn't make it the whole month but I am pretty proud of myself.

My friends are ready for me to drink tomorrow since it will be March 1st but I am not sure if I will or not. I've enjoyed waking up and feeling great. There were a couple of times being with friends that were rough and down right uncomfortable but the month is over and the friendships are still there so mission accomplished.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

23 days I've gone without soda and no wild parties. Holy Miracle Batman! If you remember my nutritionist is making me give up coffee and I am struggling. I went one week and I had to get gas and I only try to get gas at WaWa. I am very aware that it is not normal to love a gas station like I do but after I get this fitness thing down I will work on that obsession. I gave in and said "Hello" to my friends and said "One cup won't hurt" and it didn't. So in my twisted mind I said "a cup once a week won't hurt". Once again I was wrong. I've been a nightmare all day. My head hurts, I feel like I have a bulldozer in my stomach and I've been jittery. I think it is done because if I am going to feel like this then it is going to include some milla lites, good music and a hot man making me jittery instead of just coffee. I wonder if I put water in a WaWa cup if I could get the same warm and cozy feeling?

Danger Zone = people are starting to notice I am losing weight. I guess I am losing weight because remember the debacle of weighing week 1 and accusing Molly she had no clue how to work the scales. I am not weighing till March 26th and honestly I don't give a rip what it says. I am noticing in my clothes, face and ummmmmmm Hello blood pressure is rocking! Anyway, this has always been my downfall in the past. When people notice I start to tell myself "oh I can tone it down a notch because I am doing so well" or "I can skip a workout because I've had great success." Thank God I have another month of boot camp.

Awesome news- The trip to Cancun is planned to celebrate the end of boot camp and to unwind from this disastrous General Assembly that will ruin public education in Virginia. www.supportvirginiaschools.com I leave after I finish the Monument Avenue and I return before Boot Camp 2 starts.

Tomorrow night is Powerball. My favorite class by far. Wonder which politician will be on the first ball that I throw into the ground?

Monday, February 22, 2010

with 2 friends today. Costco...I love them. My checking account hates me but my fridge and my library love me. I am into plums these days and you can get them cheap and ready. I got the rotisserie chicken for my other reunion.

Today is my 22nd day without sodas. I am happy but I do miss them. I got to the point I needed something other than water with lemon. I am trying the Fuze Slenderize. I wonder what Tina will have to say about them. Yay for following something for 21 days Ra!

Sorry I haven't been updating. Work blows right now with the budget. If you don't believe elections matter then follow what is going on with our budget!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

so we're halfway thru boot camp according to Molly! I went to the doctor today for my eye infection. I got it by touching the treadmill and then rubbing my eyes. At least that is what the gorgeous doctor told me today. I got a shot of steroids in the arse and I start taking them tomorrow and I have jock itch cream on my eyelids. kid you not.

after waiting in the waiting room for over 30 minutes to be processed and then another hour to see the doctor and the whole time worrying about whether this is what public option health care would be like I went back with the nurse. the scales......why the hell does she need to weigh me if it is my eye. she said it is what had to happened. down 3 pounds from weigh in at boot camp and i have on very different clothes than what i wore to get weighed. she then proceeded to wrap the dreaded cuff around my arm. i've had border line high blood pressure for years. 140/90 well guess what people NOT ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was 126/72. I was so excited. I couldn't wait for her to get away from me so I could text my trainer, Rusty! I am so freaking proud. Who cares I look like a scary monster with an eye infection......my blood pressure rocks baby!

Monday, February 8, 2010

so I arrived for my consultation with Tina and it was much different than when she spoke to our class. Redhead showed up and it was an adventure. I went over what I had been eating for breakfast "The Ellie McMuffin" and she loved it. 3 proteins and a carb. She wants me to have a mid morning snack of fruit and nuts specifically almonds or walnut halves. For lunch she wants me to have protein, veggie and maybe a carb. I told her for lunch I had chicken, black beans, diced tomatoes and cut up avocado and she loved it. She wants me to add a mid afternoon snack of 2 oz of protein and a fruit. For dinner she wants me to have a protein, veggie and a starch i.e. rice and hopefully beans of some type. She cautioned me on corn because of the high glacemic index. NO SNACKS after dinner = buzz kill.

Here are the bits of information she gave me.

1. Cheese is 50% saturated fat so be very careful. 1/2 ounce of cheese = protein. 2. I can only have 2 fruits a day.3. Take your body weight and divide in half. This is how many ounces of water you're suppose to have a day. If you don't do it you do harm to your body. 4. I can only have 1 cup of coffee. She immediately identified me as Type A and said that we create 80% more adrenaline and that generates so much insulin in my pancreas and my body can't handle it. How horrible is that? If I do have a cup of coffee I am suppose to have 2 cups of water to replace the coffee. 5. I am definitely going organic with my meat. Americans eat 35 pounds of antibiotics when they don't go organic because what is put in animals. Tonight we're starting with organic hamburgers. There was no difference in the cost. 6. I am to focus on lots of veggies and proteins and have a few carbs preferably before 3pm.7. Bad news on the alcohol. I told her I was going alcohol free for February and she said "it takes your body 1 day to say goodbye to alcohol, 3 months for your brain to get it." Redhead almost choked and I was worried she was going to send us to AA. 12oz of beer, 4 oz of wine and 1.5 oz of liquor all equal 2 fats. Your body absorbs it drop by drop and when it can't absorb any more it stores it as fat. That is why men have beer bellies and all of that good stuff. 8. She recommends all vitamins that are made of whole foods not the store Whole Foods but actual foods, not added chemicals. She is researching one she wants me to take.

It was mind opening and crazy. She could look at you and tell your body type. She asked about our body temperatures. Redhead told her he runs hot so she is limiting his chicken intake. She told us that chicken is a hot temperature food. I am normal so I can eat whatever protein but only have beef maximum 2 times.

I definitely recommend going to talk to someone. Tina is at Whole Foods every other Monday at Ellwood Thompson. What a great service they do for their customers so check your local area.

Just checking in real quick. I am working at home today and probably being the most productive little worker ever!

I've made it for a FULL week of no sodas!!!! I made it through the weekend with no beer, wings or fries. Also no mac and cheese that I love as comfort food when I am snowed in at my house. I am sooo proud of myself. I didn't venture to my neighbors for beer and wings....woooooohoooooooo!

I have a 3:45 meeting with my nutritionist and that should be interesting!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

they're freaking everywhere and I've kicked them all in the arse...except snow cream! I made it out to Target today after shoveling for 2.5 hours (I burned 1865 calories according to discoveryhealth.com) and I didn't even go near the beer or food aisle and guess what greeted me when I checked out...if you know me then you know this was about all I could take!!!!!

I shoveled four neighbors walkways plus mine and parking places for them because 1. I need to get in good to make up for the noise that my cookouts have been known to have 2. I needed a good workout 3. I have a pregnant neighbor and 2 old neighbors and 4. My parents were great role models on how to take care of your neighbors. Where I come from your neighbors are your family but hopefully when we thaw out they will think about what I did when they hear some noise from the first spring cookout!

I am trying to forget that one of my neighbors said come on over tonight I am making 2 kinds of chicken wings, cheesecake and I will have that "special lemonade" you like....I said "no offense Mark but I am going to try to forget you exist tonight."

Ok I am off to shower and get comfy before half time. Rock on and I hope you're all having chicken wings, fries and most of all full on homemade ranch dressing on everything!!!!!!!

"Most people treat the present moment as if it were an obstacle that they need to overcome. Since the present moment is life itself, it is an insane way to live." ~EckhartTolle

I am scanning blogs this morning and I found this quote. Yesterday was rough not hitting the bars but there is no way I would've made it with how crappy I felt. I kinda felt that way just like let me get through this weekend without drinking and eating all the right food I will be fine. So for the rest of this journey I am going to make the most of it!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

We're in love and I made it official when I signed up to get his live feed twitters. He knows I am following him so I can't get in trouble for stalking.

His name is Dave Zinczenko, who is the famous Eat This, Not That author. I stumbled upon him the other day from yahoo and I followed the link till I got to his twitter account. I love him. In fact I have his updates sent directly to my phone and I only ussally do that for the political candidates that I follow and RedHead when he use to use twitter.

I highly recommend it because he just will randomly send me great advice and it randomly comes when bad things are going through my head i.e. how good would that bacon french onion dip that I ran into while picking up my boring ass Fiber One yogurt. All the sudden Dave will text me a twitter update that says how the FDA is thinking about changing serving sizes because Americans are out of control and it brings me back into focus!

Also, Jillian is on twitter, Tara Costa (BL 7) and couple of other good sites. Highly recommend it!

I will admit the first snow storm I was excited about because I usually love snow. 2nd storm and I was amused but now i am not at all amused. I am ready for the spring flowers, windows opened and being able to get out and enjoy but this weekend I am stuck in the house once again.

The night of our group run I realized I needed to step up training and get very serious about boot camp. I had been doing the right stuff and my homework but I want to see real results on March 26-27th so I decided for the month of Feb I was going party free. Little did I know we would have another snow storm.

Thank God I woke up not feeling good because a group of friends are heading to BW3's as we speak and I am staying in...I had the Devil and Angel on my shoulder but bottom line is I can barely breathe so I've decided to stay in and stick the promise I made to myself.

Yesterday was a struggle as well. I met 2 of my favorites for lunch. I met these girls when I first moved to Richmond and we try to get together for lunch a couple of times a year to catch up. It is always good to catch up and hear what is going on and talk political smack talk. They had both had trying times that morning and sat down and ordered a drink and I stuck with the water and lemon. A beer and a bloody mary right in front of me (remember I fell in love with them at New Year's brunch). I tried to focus what they were saying but I was thinking bloody mary is mostly tomato juice...that is a vegetable right? Their fries looked so good but a trip to the salad bar with tons of good veggies and a chicken wrap with no side and it came off their paper menu. Ruby Tuesday's will give you a paper menu with nutritional information if you ask for it. It includes calories, carbs and fat grams. I got out of there with about 55o calories.

If you know me you know I love cake icing and could care less about cake. Cheesecake I can take or leave but RedMama had the cake icing that was actually talking to me. I so wanted to stick my fork on her plate and scoop it up and eat it. Thankfully I didn't because all of the sudden the crackberry went off and this email came in from my trainer, Rusty. I would've felt so guilty if I would've given in to the icing. "I will be there! So glad you are using all the tools I'm trying to put in front of you guys :) I have a soft spot in my heart for you and the other 2 stooges. You're doing awesome, keep up the good work and success will surely come!" He is referring to me making an appointment with our nutritionist on Monday. She consults at a natural grocery store and I am meeting with her on Monday to begin the switch to organic.

It could be my imagination but I think I can tell a big difference in my bloatiness (if that is a word) in my body with just giving up sodas. I've been nazi like this week with what I've eaten. I am not eating any processed foods. I've gotten my fruits and veggies in and had great workouts. I am probably going to make snow cream here in a bit but everybody deserves a treat.

I am attaching pictures of the desserts I watched and the drinks. They totally knew I was taking it and please don't think I made them feel bad. They totally deserve it and chase children around and burn the calories off. They were very encouraging and excited to hear about boot camp. I would love to have both of them in our next session that starts April 7th. I could see the mulling it over. I think if we could have open house and have everybody go to last Wed's class it would be so full. Seriously it was the best class ever. The 3 Stooges are still talking about it!

Hope all of you are staying warm and enjoying the winter weather. I do have a very healthy recipe in my crock pot that I will share. My house is starting to smell good. I made some changes. Instead of salsa I used 2 cans of diced tomatoes and I added lime juice and cilantro and I didn't add the brown rice. I have the minute brown rice and if I am hungry for it when it is time to eat I will just put the chicken on top of it! Enjoy!Black Bean Chicken An easy slow cooker recipe that the family will enjoy!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

stop thinking perverted thoughts. tonight we did all of work with medicine balls, stability balls and we threw 12/10 pound balls up in the air and then we threw these 4 pound balls on the ground and picked them up with a squat. I had a lot of road rage when I started this class and throwing balls is a great release. A few of those balls had a few faces on them and god it felt good to smash them into the ground. I loved every minute of class and didn't say one bad word to Rusty. I will admit one time when he corrected my form that my tongue flew out when he walked away but no bad words were spoken tonight.

we did 2 circuits and each circuit we did 2 reps of 15 on 6 activities that involved some sort of ball took a water break and then we did it again. I loved tonight's class. I can already feel it, I worked up a sweat and I really hope we do this class again.

We had circle time and talked about our successes and if we were worried about anything. I just wish this snow would go away so I could get outside and focus on the Monument!

The 3 Stooges came back here and cooked pork tenderloin, corn and a strawberry spinach salad. No wine was had and I feel like a rock star.

Peace out I am tired and I have to go do cardio in the am. I heart boot camp!

1. From the run the other night. I was asking Rusty about how to make it better and he suggested www.jeffgalloway.com and I really like him. Great info and I am trying to incorporate some of his stuff on the treadmill and hopefully this weekend if we don't get blanketed again with that white crap!

2. The nutritionist said "listen to your body and the seasons". In the winter you're craving warmth and in the summer you want salads....that is what we should be feeding our bodies. Stews in the winter and salads in the summer. It was interesting!

of cutting out diet drinks from my life and I am starting to freak out a little. I love a Coke Zero and I am not saying I will never drink one again but I am trying it for 21 days! We had a nutritionist speak to our boot camp the other day and she basically told us that diet sodas are one of the worst things you could put in your body. The alternative sugars have huge molecules that it is very hard on your liver to process it. My liver needs no more challenges. Also, it makes your body crave other bad stuff....more sweets and all of that stuff. Rumor is that it takes 21 days to make something a habit so I hope these next few weeks fly by....I am doing pretty good with it but any change can be a little rough.

Also, she told us that organic meat is much better than regular meat. I will give that a try in a bit. I had already bought my meat for the weekend so I haven't tried it. I did watch Oprah the other day and she talked with Michael Pollan http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/The-Truth-About-Food-with-Michael-Pollan and he solidified that it needs to be organic and especially pay attention if it has been grain or grass fed. Grass is better!

What else did she say....need to be very careful of reduced, light and all of that. Sometimes the real thing is much better for you!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

I know I've been behind in getting this posted but I really haven't been into writing about it because honestly the night sucked and I dealt with it and moved on but I keep getting emails asking about it so here goes.

It all started when Molly sent out the email explaining what the challenge was going to be and you can find that in my archives. I was thrown for a loop when it had us incorporating running into the fitness challenge. I had been drawn to this challenge because it focused on nutrition and fitness so I agreed I would try it and go from there.

Wednesday was the first time we've run as a group. It started off with an intern that runs a 4 minute mile and completes all over the country for running. Immediately my nerves were shot and I just wanted to yell at this guy "i've only ever run in my adult life if we've realized we were almost out of beer and Food Lion is about to close" but he was telling us how not to run...my mind was mush and I was just ready to be outside and trying to get it done. I had major anxiety and my nerves were a hot mess.

It was dark, unfamiliar with the course and honestly couldn't run hardly at all which I knew I wasn't going to be like the intern but I thought I would be better than I was and that just made me want to kill the world. Even my play list wasn't given me the mojo I needed. I actually pretended Jillian was with me on the run and pushing me to make me go faster. I was walking as fast as I could and it helped pretending she was there.

I was a hot mess and felt like my legs weighed 400 pounds a piece. I wanted to quit, I wanted to sit down and throw a temper tantrum and I didn't. Some of the people from boot camp came for the last part...I loved that and made me so glad we don't have to vote anybody off like the Biggest Loser...I really like our group.

The 3 Stooges were all a little "blah" about how we did. I've decided to kick it up a notch to get ready for Monument Avenue. Do I think I will run/jog the whole way...Hell to the no but do I think I will push myself like I've never done before....yes sir!

So I am making some changes and kicking up the focus. I've kinda felt scattered with the rock climbing, group run and realizing I need to kick it up but I think I am on track right now to get a personal best on March 27th!

Friday, January 29, 2010

She always keeps me in check....and is the reason I started the blog. She got me on the band wagon with being a Future Fit Girl. I wish I could be there to celebrate but I have boot camp tonight...another thing you got me started on....I will call you guys if I survive butts and guts!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

we survived last night's boot camp. I've been thinking of what all I want to say about it since the drive home last night and as soon I get it all together I will write a blog. It was physically and mentally hard. More to come on that.

Dawn has also signed on to do boot camp again that starts April 7th so the 3 Stooges have officially committed to 24 weeks of boot camp. Keep in mind that April is usually when we fire up the grill and drink on my deck...April 7th-June 24th is probably my favorite time of year besides Hokie football season so this will be a challenge all in itself.

I can't imagine not having the good friends that I do to go through this with and I am very thankful for them. A lot of times being able to talk about how things are going, encouraging each other or just being able to laugh (Giggles McGee) but more importantly....knowing you aren't alone in this process is what helps me the most. Love you guys and we rock!

Look for a post about last night tonight...I have to go do a report for work!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Remember today is my staff meeting and we're actually talking about blogging and how to communicate with our members so I am practicing the techniques that I am learning. My association loves to eat. Break time, lunch, break time, happy hour and I've decided I am going to say hell no! I climbed a rock wall last night and I can say no to the reese's pieces that are calling my name.

I was barely awake when I was leaving for my meeting before staff meeting but I thought to put some snacks in my bag. I have some clementines, 100 Calorie Trader Joe's chocolate bars and 90 calorie fiber one bars that have become my new favorite treat.

Here is what I am fighting the urge to eat and it is only 11:22.....I would say I would reward myself with a treat but there are talks of booking a trip next week to celebrate the end of boot camp the day after we do the 10k and before our boot camp starts up again April 7th. That's right Future Fit Girl is doing it again....

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

My arms hurt already and I can feel it all over my body but I did it. I was so worried I wouldn't even get off the ground and I went close to the top on my last one. The goal we set for me was to get to the top the next time. I've got to work on getting that close and just pushing it out without quitting. Your arms, legs and entire body get tired and you just start shaking and some random stranger is holding you on the ground and you start thinking oh crap I could fall.

I have already decided I will go again before it is time to do it for the finale to work on it without an audience and friend pressure. Just me and the rope holder one on one!

Ok I just got home from a work meeting so I am going to go to bed...just wanted to update you and I have pictures to prove it that I will post tomorrow if I can lift my arm.

Rusty, I wanted to kill you when I found out this was your idea but I am glad you introduced us to it and a shot out to your colleagues who came to help us....just shows what an impressive operation www.endorphinfitness.com is...I just wish Molly could've been there!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

that tomorrow night's going be a good night! Something changed inside of me today. I am not sure if it is the quote or the fact that I am loving that new song "Hard" by Rihanna but on my way to the gym there was no dread or wishing I was on the way to the bar. I rocked it out and arrived at the gym like a superstar. I did the class "moving and groovin" with my girl Shirley T and loved it. It was intense at times but if I am having fun I am fine with sweat running down my body. I felt so good that I came home and did laundry, dishes and all that bs that I don't like to do after coming home from the gym.

I made a trip to the good ole Ukrops and wow I am getting smart at this grocery shopping. I made my salad first so I wouldn't be going through the whole store saying that looks great for dinner. I got what i needed and tried to stay on the outside of the perimeter. I am still reading the back of everything and I am ready to get to where I know everything that I need and go in and get what I need. Sidenote: I didn't use any Ranch dressing on my salad and if you know me you know this is huge for me!

News Break: What in the hell is going on with the red team on Biggest Loser?

So tomorrow is the rock climbing adventure and I am ready to rock it out...pun intended. I will keep you posted.

Here is what is also happening that I need to let you know about that I feel are successes.

1. I ditched a group outing to Brio tonight to attend a class at the gym. Ummmm hello that is huge they have the best calamari!1.5 I didn't buy the Bacon French Onion dip that I found tonight while looking for the laughing cow cheese! 2. I have decided that I will exercise all year long and not stop after my boot camp is over. Hopefully Rusty and Molly will begin working on Challenge 2 after reading this...hint! I've been great at training for things and then going back to bad habits when they're over. 3. I will accept the challenges this boot camp and start thinking of them as ways to make me stronger physically and mentally.4. I have decided no happy hour with my colleagues on Thursday after our staff meeting. If I make it through this one I deserve a freaking gold medal. HOLD ME TO THIS BECAUSE IF I KNOW I HAVE TO ANSWER TO SOMEBODY IT WILL MAKE ME DO IT!

I'm back and I have spring fever that is for sure. I was ready to get on the plane and come home but I hated to leave the weather. I had a taste of what it is going to be like running the 10k because our plane was delayed in FL and was late getting to ATL and there was someone waiting for us at the gate telling us to run...well you would've thought it was Rusty or Molly telling me to run because I ran like crazy and thankfully made my connection with 2 minutes to spare. I could tell it in my body as I was trying to get straight in the seat. I thought about the 10k the whole way back to RIC.

I didn't eat bad in FL but I did partake in some adult beverages.....quite a few to be exact. I am back on track and I just finished a great workout at the gym. I was worthless yesterday with the rain and reuniting with my bed and DVR. Redhead and I did go to 4 grocery stores buying healthy food and cooked a great healthy dinner. I've never cooked a whole chicken but we did and sugar snap peas. We had homemade angel food with fresh strawberries.

This week at boot camp is going to be a struggle for me. We do rock climbing, which I am scared to death about, but I will give it 100% and then on Friday we have our first big group run. I am going to scour the internet for quotes on conquering your fears for this week!

Plus if it isn't bad enough I have staff meeting this week and you know I believe calories don't count on the company tab. God come on Friday after boot camp so I can breath!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

I refuse to weigh in for another 3 weeks. those freaks on biggest loser who lose weight like crazy had me thinking i would lose 10 pounds in a week. so i weighed and of course when that didn't happen I flipped. poor molly will probably need meds after dealing with me this week.

so after 49 expletives and road rage I get an email and phone call from NFP Molly that says this:

I am sorry I forgot to mention this at class. For those of you who are trying to lose weight as your main goal, there is something you need to know. There is something I call the Weight Gain Phenomenon. If you are fans of the show The Biggest Loser, you know this as "week 2" of the show. During the very beginning of starting a structured exercise and diet plan, it is very normal to lose very little and even GAIN weight. Here is the reason... Our bodies are confused as hell about what we are doing to it!

We each have our own habits, and our body gets used to them. If your body is used to not exercising AND taking in a lot of calories, it programs itself to run as efficiently as possible to that standard. When you begin exercising and dropping the calories, it shocks your body twice as much. Your body goes into a protection mode. It thinks you are STARVING yourself. So your body then greatly slows down your metabolic rate, decreasing the normal amount of calories you typically burn in a day. Your body is trying to conserve energy (calories) because it doesn't know when your going to start your "normal" eating habits again.

This usually lasts 1 or 2 weeks, then your body figures out this is how its going to be, and readjusts accordingly to be as efficient as possible. Give it a little time and you will start seeing the progress you're looking for!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

me and the Redhead went to happy hour because we were waiting for my GayHusband and I had a diet coke and he had 1 glass of wine. Be prepared people because hell is freezing over. We talked about our program but didn't stress over it.

We went to dinner and had a good dinner and picked out reasonable options for us. no drinks and no dessert and we didn't clean our plates......we rock!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

I told you about the book Eat This, Not That and how it tells you to read every label. Well today after the gym I went to the store to get a few things and one of the items was english muffins. My sister in law made her specialty for me over Christmas and I liked it. It is an english muffin, egg beaters and wedge cheese oh and I just remembered she puts a slice of bacon on there. I get points if I make sure fiber and protein are a part of every meal so this will help me win the bike. It keeps her full and it was quite tasty. I read the labels and the ones that were labeled "double fiber" are liars. They only had 5 grams of fiber and the ones labled "light" had 8 grams of fiber. Just nailed down the fact that you have to check every label.

I did make it to the gym today for aerobics with Shirley T. God I love her. I have fun, I get a workout and I also get a big boost for my self esteem. I felt like a rockstar and wondered leaving the gym thinking "why did I ever stop coming to her classes" and quickly got into the thought of how good I would look if I hadn't stopped and then quickly threw that out and said to myself "you're doing it now and you're committed so just rock on."

I read my nutrition stuff and exercise stuff from boot camp last night and basically it is calories out have to be greater than calories in. Fair enough I will try my best.

I will say I feel pretty awesome even though I am pretty tired. My house is spotless, huge crock pot of healthy soup is brewing and I am waiting for my friends to come over for girls night.

Friday, January 8, 2010

I just subscribed to Cooking Light and they had this interesting article about 5 tips but this one hit home due to the fact I just started a 12 week program.

3. You know that exercise is important–it burns calories and helps keep your moods stable. But did you know that regular exercise can actually change your own taste preferences from high-fat health traps to more low-fat favorites? Studies show that 12 weeks of regular exercise literally changes your desire for higher fat foods. Fatty foods actually produce endorphins, a natural feel-good chemical that is easy to get hooked on. But exercise produces even more of these, so you don't need the high-fat fix to feel good anymore.

Stay tuned till March 26th. If I stop craving my fried, rich, creamy and yummy high fat foods I will love EF forever!

I am sitting at home waiting for RedHead to finish my dinner and all I can think is what a 180 we've done in a week. I won't even go into details about last Friday because I don't remember a part of it but I will tell you about tonight.

We all met up at EF and we were making small chit chat and then it was time to get started. Rusty and Molly handed out our nutrition plans and fitness plans. I barely glanced at it so I will write more about that when I figure it out either tonight or tomorrow am. He explained the points system which I am still trying to figure out...I will get that bike....and then the dreaded cardio circuit began.

We partnered up and off Dawn and I went. We had this rope course that we did single and then double high knees...kinda like what we did as kids hopscotch. Then we had another touch your toe and then quickly switch toes thing that knocked the breath right out of you, ab crunches, then step ups (I felt like I was on the Biggest Loser at this point), then push ups and then stairs. We did all of these for a minute. Sounds easy but imagine not catching your breath....Rusty watching every move and telling you to push yourself. We did that 3 times hard core with water breaks in between and then he made us do it again. I could've killed him but on the 4th go around my body felt better. Molly, who is in the running for NFP (New Favorite Person) for '10, says because your body adapts quickly. I was feeling great and then it came time for stretching and I could taste my lunch. I thought stretching would feel great and I can honestly say I would've rather done the stairs!

So the conversation in the car didn't start for about 10 minutes after we had caught our breath and then we decided we needed to eat instead of going home and beg for death like we had planned earlier. We walked in Ukrops and there were my old friends...fried chicken, cake at the checkout counter(shame on you Ukrops) and all the other friends that have been there for me in the past. We walked around the prepared foods and then realized there was nothing we could eat and we freaked. I couldn't stop laughing, RedHead declared he felt like he was tripping on shrooms and it was the first time I've ever worried about being thrown out somewhere on a Friday night sober. We decided on tacos. Lean ground beef, low sodium taco mix, salsa and I found some 100 calorie tortilla that I will use. Our appetizer is a cut up orange!

I feel really good right now and I am so freaking proud of the 3 Amigos. I am glad 2 classes are down and I still can't stop thinking about what the "after" picture is going to look like on March 26th!

More to come on the nutrition and fitness but the food is ready! Eat On!

so lots of things going through the mind right now. Tonight is our first real structured boot camp. We're doing a cardio circuit. Needless to say we're a little nervous. Well at least 2 of the 3 amigos. I was talking to my boss about it and she asked why I was nervous and I said one of the reasons was because I didn't want to look stupid doing it and she said "Fuck em! You're all there to work on fitness." True story BossLady! I am still a little nervous but will just go rock it out the best I can!

This morning I was asked to focus on an 18 month goal of running a marathon. I almost choked on my coffee but after doing some math and realizing that I could get in good shape and then train I've agreed to do a 1/2 marathon with one of my closest friends that I've grown up with back home. We're shooting for May 2011 and searching for a cool location to do it so if you have any suggestions please let me know. Wow! I am excited but freaking out at what this commitment will mean to me and how I will have to stay focused. You can follow her at www.mommytohotmama.blogspot.com

Yesterday I was talking to two of my colleagues about boot camp and they shared their goals and what they're doing it. One of them loaned me the book 'Eat This, Not That' and I highly recommend it. Talk about an eye opener. The difference in which salad dressing or even ketchup can save you 80 calories per meal. A McDonald's milkshake has 165 grams of sugar....Holy Hell that is crazy! I won't spoil all of your reading but I did learn some great alternatives. Last thing....Doritos are better for you than rice cakes they aren't cooked in saturated oil. Go get it right now!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Ok so here they are, Rusty and Molly, the two people that I will be answering to for the next three months. After months of waiting, the fitness challenge has started and I am ready. I was a nervous wreck for the majority of the day waiting for 6pm but it turned out not to be so bad at all.

We all met and sat in a circle (no Cumbaya) and introduced ourselves. There are two repeaters from past challenges so I think that speaks volumes for the program. They had really cool things to share and made me believe accomplishing the goals I set for myself can work. One of them has lost 60 pounds, completed her first triathlon, quit smoking and can do a 10 minute plank. Ummmm, I am a believer people.

Here is the rundown of tonight: introductions, explaining the program and some questions and answers. Then the really fun part-weighing and measuring. I only gained one pound during the holiday season! Then we did planks to see how long we could sustain...I definitely need to work on my prone plank. See how many pushups and squats in a minute....not so bad for the first night.

We had to outline our personal goals and then Rusty is going to work up a nutrition plan according to our goals and weight...I think that is the plan and the schedule says cardio....Joy!

Oh and here is the fun part....we all compete for points. The winner gets a bike and I've been wanting one forever so game on.

I've told them about my blog so I might not dish and scream as much when I'm in pain as I usually do but after meeting them they seem pretty cool and ready to rock it out. I don't want to wish my life away but I am pretty psyched to see the after picture in 90 days!

all of the bad stuff I can put in my body because once I walk in that place tonight it is game on and detox time. I hope I don't throw up a tasty kake tonight while I am doing my obstacle course. Who eats creame filled coffee cake cupcakes the morning they start a challenge???? BG does that's who!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

and I sure as hell am not excited like I get on Christmas eve. I was pretty chill with the nerves about boot camp since I've been preoccupied crushing on a boy. I started watching the biggest loser and I realized that tomorrow night the 3 Stooges would be involved in something similar.

Text messages and Facebook messages are coming in wishing me luck and calls between the 3 Stooges have taken place so I guess this is for real...tomorrow at 6pm it is D Day.

I've heard our personal trainer is a guy named Rusty and he is pretty hot so I am excited about this already. Rumor on the street is we do an obstacle course tomorrow night to see where we are at...I hope I survive!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Tonight BG had her last meal with not caring about what is made of or how many calories. BG had the most truly delightful holiday. I had lots of parties, celebrations and anything else under the sun. I ate everything x's 49 and loved it all.

Snow cream made with eagle milk, sugar and vanilla...........YUM!!!!!!!!!!

I got the best post partum Christmas gift today......Redhead is going to do the Challenge with us. We've drank glass after glass of wine and champagne tonight laughing about what hot messes we're about to be on Wednesday but who cares. Redhead is my downfall because he is sooooooooo much fun to cook dinner with and hangout with and knowing he is in competition with us and I don't have to worry about dodging his call to hang out....game on......I will kick your skinny ass Molly!!!!!!! smooches!

We had an amazing meal tonight....fried chicken tenders, truffle oil macoroni and cheese and homemade ranch with green bean casserole with lots of wine and champagne. Some had brownie and ice cream........I kinda burned mine....so not so much.........